IT Training Courses

[redrabbit29]

I work in a digital forensics role and looking to do some extra courses, mainly to improve my knowledge and skills.

I'm really open to different topic matters, so still browsing just to get an idea. I have looked mainly at Firebrand as they seem to offer a good range of different courses.

Does anyone know what these courses are like and how valuable they are:

- Comptia Security+
- CISMP

I've an interest in ethical hacking but we already have agreements with other providers in this respect.

Budget is around £3000 roughly, and most interested in Security/some networking/IT management kind of stuff.

Thanks in advance,
Redrabbit

 

[redrabbit29]

Big budget for learning something you could learn on your own.
...

The main thing you gain going on a course is a certificate and time management. When I was younger I did NVQs and I also did a uni course on ethical hacking but I never paid for it.

That's what I would like though. I could learn all this on my own but that's easier said than done, and generally it's so easy to get distracted or learn bits and move on (I realise that's my own downfall).

But with a course, you have a schedule, you end up with a qualification or certificate which in turn can make you a better candidate for jobs. So there are benefits.

The budget I mentioned is funded by the company so it's not too much of an issue for me personally.

 

[redrabbit29]

Hmm.... I can't see what your background is , have you ever done any expert witness training e.g. Bond Solon?

What about attending conferences?

Reading journals http://www.journals.elsevier.com/digital-investigation
You can read them at large libraries, online, make contact with national courses and ask for their reading lists and read those.

Can you come up with a novel security solution? Write articles, make a website?

Have you studied it at Uni, done a Masters?

Is this paid work and what are you trying to achieve? Can a Pro advise you? Act as a mentor?

Are you familiar with all the forensic tools which are used on cards, drives, images, phones, etc........

Statistics?

Background - was a web developer quite a while back for 3 years doing PHP/MySQL mainly
I have some decent Linux experience
I'm starting to learn Python which is going quite well - this is just for a bit of fun and not needed for work.

My job is in digital forensics so I use Encase, IEF, Cellebrite, doing forensic examinations on devices, completing reports, etc... I also deal in some cases with companies that have been hacked, or being DDoS'd for example.

I haven't done a masters, only a HND.

There's a possibility that my company will pay for me to do a MSc in Digital Forensics, which could be good considering I don't even have a degree, so could be quite valuable.

What am I trying to achieve - just to increase my own knowledge, become more confident in other areas of IT and gain qualifications - this is why I am quite open to suggestions.

...

I'm thinking long term so I appreciate some saying "self teach", but if I ever do go for other jobs in the future, it's unfortunately teh case that businesses look for certifications, qualifications rather than "I've self taught myself all this stuff..." - sad but true.